Last month, August Network commemorated 12 holidays across the world on our social media pages! Here's a summarized list of each holiday from the month of May with a brief description about it.

1. International Holidays
AUGUST NETWORK • MAY 2020
Aparna Vashisht-
Rota
Natalia Cevallos
Whitney Camarena

2. Overview
May 1. International Workers’ Day (NOT IN US)
May 3. Poland - Constitution Day
May 5. National Teachers Day
May 10. Mother’s Day
May 12. International Nurses Day
May 15. International Day of Families
May 17. Norway - Constitution Day
May 19. Muslim - Laylat al-Qadr
May 21. Christian - Ascension Day
May 24. Muslim - Eid al-Fitr (Last Day of Ramadan)
May 25. US - Memorial Day
May 25. Argentina - National Day/May 1810
Revolution Day

3. May 1. International Workers’ Day (NOT IN US)
The International Workers' Day holiday, also
known as Labor Day or May Day, on May 1, 2020,
commemorates the Haymarket Riot, which
occurred in Chicago on 4 May 1886 and is a
celebration of the working classes who protested and
struggled for their rights to the legal establishment
of the 8-hour day, an organized proletariat, and
universal peace. Celebrations can vary throughout
the world but typically consist of parades, marches,
and barbecues.
The United States and Canada celebrate Labor Day
on the first Monday of September.

4. May 3. Poland - Constitution Day
The Polish Constitution Day holiday, also known as
Święto Konstytucji 3 Maja, on May 3, 2020,
celebrates the declaration of the 1791 Constitution
and official recognition by the Second Polish
Republic in 1919. The holiday itself was delisted
during the times of the People's Republic of Poland,
and then was re-established after the fall of
communism in modern Poland. Traditions on this
day include parades, exhibitions, concerts and
public figure speeches.

5. May 5. US - National Teachers Day
The National Teachers' Day holiday, on May 5,
2020, celebrates the contributions of teachers in the
US. The holiday itself is a part of Teacher
Appreciation Week, which is the first full week in
May of each year. Traditions include giving teachers
gifts and words of appreciation, often throughout
the week following themes set by schools. The
National Education Association describes National
Teacher Day “as a day for honoring teachers and
recognizing the lasting contributions they make to
our lives.”

6. May 10. Mother’s Day
The Mother's Day holiday, on May 10, 2020,
celebrates the mother of the family, as well as
motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of
mother-like relationships in society. Festivities often
include a special meal, giving gifts, and honoring
mothers. Over 40 countries participate in this
holiday, most commonly in the months of March or
May. The holiday itself was founded in the US by
Anna Marie Jarvis.

7. May 12. International Nurses Day
The International Nurses Day holiday, on May 12,
2020, celebrates and honors the contributions of
nurses around the world. The day itself was first
proposed by Dorothy Sutherland of the the U.S.
Department of Health, Education and Welfare in
1953, but wasn't designated as an official holiday until
1974. The International Council of Nurses (ICN);
however, has celebrated this day since 1965,
distributing International Nurses' Day Kits as a way of
appreciating nurses every year. This holiday falls on
the last day of National Nurses Week in the US, and it
often celebrated by the giving of gifts, educational
materials, and verbal affirmations to nurses.

8. May 15. International Day of Families
The International Day of Families holiday, on May
15, was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in
1993 and celebrates the importance of families,
societies, and cultures around the world. The day
provides an opportunity to promote awareness of
issues relating to families and to increase knowledge
of the social, economic, and demographic processes
affecting families. Traditions include volunteering
with family members, coordinating community
service projects, and reflecting on what family means
in honor of the day.

9. May 17. Norway - Constitution Day
The Norwegian Constitution Day holiday, also
known as Søttene mai, on May 17, 2020,
commemorates the 1814 signing of the Norwegian
Constitution in Eidsvoll. Traditional celebrations
included parades, flag flying, and speeches.

10. May 19. Muslim - Laylat al-Qadr
The Laylat al Qadr (Shab-e-Qadr) holiday, also
known as the Night of Power or the Night of
Destiny, on May 19, 2020, commemorates the night
in 610 CE, when it is believed that the Prophet
Muhammad received the first verses of the Koran
(Qur’an). Muslims in the United States celebrate the
event on one of the last 10 days of the Islamic
month of Ramadan. It is considered the most
appropriate time of the entire year to pray for
salvation and blessings. It is believed that a Muslim’s
past sins are forgiven if the person prays throughout
this night. Many people assemble at mosques during
the Isha’ prayer, with many prayers being made until
midnight.

11. May 21. Christian - Ascension Day
The Ascension Day holiday, also known as Holy
Thursday, on May 21, 2020, is held on a Thursday
39 days (40th day of Easter) after Easter Sunday and
commemorates Jesus Christ's ascension into heaven,
in accordance with Christian Biblical text. Catholic
traditional celebrations begin with a three-day
procession to ask for God’s mercy, and the feast
itself includes a procession of torches and banners
symbolizing Christ’s journey to the Mount of Olives
and entry into heaven and an all-night vigil.

12. May 24. Muslim - Eid al-Fitr (Last Day of Ramadan)
The Eid-al-Fitr holiday, on May 24, 2020, also
known as the first day of Shawwal, marks the end of
Ramadan, which is the Islamic month of fasting and
prayer. Traditions include attending communal
prayers, listening to a khutba (sermon) and giving
zakat al-fitr (charity in the form of food). It is
forbidden to fast on the Day of Eid, and a specific
prayer is nominated for this day of celebration.

13. May 25. US - Memorial Day
The Memorial Day holiday, formerly known as
Decoration Day, on May 25, 2020, honors the men and
women who have died while serving in the US military,
particularly in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in
battle. The traditional symbol of this holiday, the red
poppy, stems from John McCrae's 1915 poem, “In
Flanders Fields” and Moina Michael's 1918 poem, “We
Shall Keep the Faith”. From these two literary works, the
practice of wearing a single red poppy in remembrance of
those killed in the Great War was begun. On this day,
people host gatherings, share meals, visit cemeteries and
memorials, and volunteers often place American flags on
each grave site at national cemeteries. A national moment
of remembrance takes place at 3:00 p.m. local time.

14. May 25. Argentina - National Day/May 1810 Revolution Day
The National Day of Argentina holiday, also known
as Día de la Revolución de Mayo, on May 25, 2020,
marks the anniversary of the First Independent
Government in Buenos Aires. In 1810, a small
revolution took place in Buenos Aires, which proved
to be the first step towards independence. On this
day, people will take to the streets and participate in
everything from marches and concerts to public
rallies and meetings in celebration.

15. If there is a holiday we missed and you’d like to
add it to the list; email the official name, region
of origin, and date to:
socialmedia@augustnetwork.com

16. Wishing everyone
a happy and
healthy month of
celebration!